Over the last year and a half I’ve really come to appreciate the versatility of cauliflower. One of my favorite things to make with cauliflower is cauliflower mash, which is a great substitute to mashed potatoes. Don’t get me wrong, I love potatoes, but sometimes if I’m having a difficult day managing T1D cauliflower mash makes it easier for me. It’s also less time consuming than making mashed potatoes because there is no peeling involved, and peeling potatoes is one of only a few tasks in cooking I really hate doing.

While this is a great substitute, the texture is slightly different than an ultra smooth mashed potato. I’d say the texture of cauliflower mash is somewhere between mashed potatoes and creamy grits. The flavor and consistency is almost identical to mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

1 Medium Head of Cauliflower

2oz Plain Cream Cheese

Salt and Pepper

Directions

Start by removing the florets from the stems.

Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil.

While the water reaches a boil, break the florets into bite size piece.

Place the florets in the boiling water and cook for about 15 minutes. Similar to making mashed potatoes, you want the florets to be fork tender but not disintegrate when piercing with the fork.

Strain the cauliflower in a colander.

While the caulilower is still steaming, put it in a food processor along with 2oz of cream cheese.

Pulse until you get the desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. I sometimes like to add cheddar powder or Italian seasoning.

I’ve always loved makeup and when I sit down to do my makeup it feels like a creative outlet and selfcare time. The products below are all my current everyday makeup items.

Dior Foundation (I use shade 0.5 Neutral) I love this foundation because it’s a medium coverage but can be built up to be full coverage. It’s also comfortable to wear and has a natural finish.

Translucent Powder This is a necessity for making makeup last throughout the day and it makes the skin look airbrushed.

Bronzer (shade Radiant Bronze Light) This bronzer is so natural looking and easy to blend. I look a bit dead without it.

Blush (shade 55 In Love) The color of this blush is so beautiful and it’s easy to blend.

Eyeshadow (shade Intense) The colors of this palette could work for any eye color but they look particularly good with blue eyes. I typically only use one or two of the lighter shades in the day and use the darker shades in the evening.

Brow Pencil (shade Dark Brown) I’ve been using this brow pencil for at least a decade. The tip of it makes it easy to create natural looking brows. Or if you are in a rush it still looks good when you use it to quickly fill in your brows.

Highlighting Palette I use this primarily as a highlighter for my brow bone but it also looks beautiful on the cheek bones.

Brow Gel A necessity for keeping brow hairs in place all day.

Mascara This is my favorite everyday mascara because it doesn’t irritate my eyes even when I’m wearing contacts. It’s great for anyone with sensitive eyes, dry eyes, or anyone that wears contacts.

Thermal Water Spray I like to spray this over my makeup when I’m done because it blends everything and gives a more natural look to the powder products.

Setting Spray This is a must for making my makeup last all day.

Amazon is currently having one of the biggest sales of the year and it ends today. Below are all of my picks from the sale. These are all things that I have previously bought, bought as a gift, or just ordered.

Household

iRobot Vacuum Storage Shelving Bose Speaker Frame Set Upholstery Cleaner Weighted Blanket Cat Drinking Fountain Echo Show

Kitchen

Mandoline Rolling Pin Kaizen Rice Drawer Organizer

Books

The Dead Romantics Aspen Style River Sing Me Home Mediterranean Cookbook Kindle Where The Crawdads Sing

Beauty

Tinted Sunscreen T3 Interchangeable Set Laneige Lip Mask COSRX Sheet Mask Set Brow Pencil

Other

Sports Bra Universal Adapter Witch Hat Set Top

If you’ve seen my home then you know I’m the queen of blankets. I love to keep baskets of blankets throughout the house and have them thrown over furniture. I think it creates a welcoming and cozy home. I also like to keep my home on the chilly side so having blankets everywhere is also practical. Below are the coziest blankets for fall and winter.

1. Best Blanket for One Person
2. Best King Size Blanket
3. Best Aesthetic
4. Best Weighted

Over the years I’ve developed a strategy for choosing accommodation that is particularly useful for city destinations. When I start planning a trip I use Google Maps to create a map with destinations (activities, sightseeing, and shopping) pinned along with restaurants. This gives me a general idea of the areas we will be spending most of our time.

I have destinations pinned in a magenta color and restaurants in purple. When it comes to choosing accommodation, if I have to choose between the two, I always opt to be closer to the restaurants rather than activities. At the end of a long day walking around the city I’d rather be near the restaurants we want to go to, so after we finish eating we can get back to the hotel and rest. This doesn’t mean we won’t go to restaurants further from our hotel. We might go to restaurants further from our hotel for lunch but I’d like to be closer to the hotel for dinner. As you can see on the map, it made the most sense for us to stay in the Midtown area. We opted for the Intercontinental Barclay in Midtown for our hotel. There was a subway entrance just down the street from us and Grand Central was only a couple of blocks away which meant getting around was very easy (although getting around the city is easy regardless of where your stay). I was really happy with the area we stayed in. It felt safe, central to everything but also not too crowded. When we inevitably go back to New York City we will either stay in Midtown again or in the SOHO area. The reason we would consider staying in SOHO is because the area is nice and most of the restaurants left on our NYC restaurant bucket list are in SOHO.

Tips for Choosing Accomodation

Determine the type of accommodation first. I tend to opt for hotels because they have more amenities and are often the same price as Airbnb.

Next choose the area. I suggest trying to stay near the restaurants you want to try.

Lastly make sure the area is ideal as far as safety, access to public transportation, or parking if you have a car.

The only holidays I really decorate my home for are Halloween and Christmas so when I decorate I usually go big. This year I really toned it down though. Here is how I decorated my home for Halloween this year.

Living Room

Target had some great Halloween decoration finds in the Bullseye section this year including the light up jack-o-lantern on the left. I have a love/hate relationship with faux spider webs because they are a pain to put up but I feel like it packs a punch on the cabinet. The cauldron is probably my favorite Halloween decoration.

Items Shown

Spider Lights

Spider Web

Cauldron

Dining Room

I spend most of my time decorating for Halloween in my dining room because I find it’s the easiest place to decorate. I love using real pumpkins as a centerpiece with faux spiders on them. I have my skeleton (we named him David Bowie) wearing a witch hat ready to down some champagne.

Items Shown

Skeleton

Faux Spiders

Similar Napkins

Cat Table Runner

Witch Hat

Bathroom

I don’t do much decorating in the powder room but I love the things I have in there. The Redrum stickers are very easy to get off and don’t damage the mirror. The mini pumpkins that are open are unfortunately vintage and it’s impossible to find anything similar. It’s something my mom gave to me that I remember her decorating with when I was a child so I really cherish them.

Item Shown

Redrum Sticker

Kitchen

I hardly do any decorating in the kitchen because I need it to be as functional as possible. I always love to have holiday themed dish towels. This year I added some faux spiders to roses. I love the spiders because I feel like you can add them to anything for spooky season.

Items Shown

The spider dish towel is from the Bullseye section at Target so unfortunately I cannot link it. I get most of my holiday dish towels from the Target bullseye section.

Faux Spiders

Earlier this week I shared my morning skincare routine. It feels incomplete to share that without also sharing my evening skincare routine. As I stated in the previous post, everyone has different skin types, concerns, and goals. Below are products that work well for my skin, and what I want out of my evening skincare routine.

Naturium Cleansing Balm I use the method of double cleansing in my evening skincare routine. If you want to learn about the double cleansing method I recommend this article. Since I use sunscreen and sometimes makeup during the day, I like to use a cleansing balm as my first step to remove the makeup and/or sunscreen.

La Roche-Posay Hydrating Cleanser After I remove the makeup and/or sunscreen my skin is prepped to be cleaned. As you’ll see in the next step, I use a form of a retinoid in my evening routine so it’s important for me to be using a hydrating and gentle cleanser.

CeraVe Retinol I’m a strong believer in using any form of a retinoid because it’s the best ingredient for anti-aging. For this step I actually use a compound cream that I get prescribed by my dermatologist and it contains tretinoin (a prescription strength retinoid), niacinamide (to shrink pores and aid in anti-aging), and kojic (to help prevent dark spots). By using a compound cream I’m using one product for this step instead of three so it’s more realistic for me. This is something I get prescribed so you cannot buy it over the counter. If you are looking for an over the counter retinoid I highly recommend the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum. It’s gentle but effective.

Moisturizer This is the same moisturizer that I use in the morning. It’s very hydrating an comfortable to wear. It’s also soothing on my skin.

Balm Since I use a type of retinoid, my skin can get dry. I combat that by using this balm in the areas that are dry. This is a product I use more in the Fall and Winter when the air is also quite dry.

Over the last few yeas I have really simplified my skincare routine. I feel like I get better results with fewer steps. Everyone has different skin and goals with their skin; this is just what works for me. My morning skincare routine focuses on anti-aging and sun protection.

L’Oreal Revitalift Cleanser This cleanser has glycolic acid in it so it’s something I had to work my way up to using daily. I like using a cleanser with glycolic acid because I prefer a chemical exfoliant. I use this in my morning skincare routine because I cannot use it with some of the ingredients used in my evening skincare routine.

Timeless Vitamin C Vitamin C is a skincare ingredient I use for anti-aging benefits and it also helps limit sun damage. I use it in the morning because I cannot use it with some of the ingredients I use in my evening skincare routine. I’ve heard from professionals there is evidence that Vitamin C can sink deeper in the skin after using a glycolic cleanser. I like this specific one because it is supposedly a dupe for the SkinCeuticals Vitamin C, which in my opinion is over priced but it does have a lot of research backing it.

La Roche Posay Moisturizer This has been my favorite moisturizer for a while. It works well for my skin type and it wears well under makeup.

EltaMD Tinted Sunscreen I’m diligent about wearing sunscreen every day. This is my preferred one if I’m not wearing makeup. This was recommended to me by my dermatologist. There is evidence that suggests tinted sunscreens not only protect against UVA, UVB, and infrared, but also blue light.

DRMTLGY Tinted Sunscreen This sunscreen is very similar to the EltaMD sunscreen but I prefer to wear this one on days when I wear makeup. This feels more moisturizing so it feels more comfortable to wear under makeup. The EltaMD sunscreen pills on my skin so I don’t like to wear it under makeup while this one does not.

I’m the type of person that wants my home to feel cozy all year, but especially in the Fall and Winter months. Below are items I always have in my home (in almost every room) that pack a punch when it comes to a cozy atmosphere.

Candles I’m a candle loving girl. My home just doesn’t feel like home without them. They add soft light when burning and they make your home smell good.

Pillows The way you style and utilize pillows makes a huge difference. You know the saying that goes something like before you leave the house take one piece of jewelry off? I feel the opposite about pillows. Add enough pillows then add one or two more to make it extra cozy.

Florals Florals can be tricky sometimes because they are a recurring cost that can get pricey. While I love adding fresh florals occasionally, I think you can get the same effect with dried florals. I’m not great with plants so this is my way of adding some life to the space that makes it feel more welcoming and cozy.

Books I personally think books add to a cozy vibe. There’s something very cozy about curling up with a book and I love utilizing them to decorate because they not only add to the coziness, but they’re a great way to display things you love. Even if you are not an avid reader you can add coffee table books to your space.

Blankets Blankets are a necessity when it comes to creating a cozy home. I personally like to layer them on beds and have a few around the house and draped over the couch.

Baskets Since I like to keep blankets throughout my home, I like to use baskets to store them in. There’s just something really welcoming about walking into a room and there’s a basket full of warm blankets available.

Table Lamps Similar to candles, table lamps add soft lighting. I personally like to have overhead lights on dimmers and other softer, smaller, lighting options in each room. Having a dimmer room creates a cozier atmosphere.

One of my favorite things to do is try a new (to me) restaurant and it’s something I look forward to every vacation. Below are my favorite paces I ate at while in NYC last month. I’m not a local to New York so I cannot say the places below are the absolute best places to eat in the city, but they certainly were my favorite places we ate at while we explored the city over 11 days. If you are in the city and looking for a great place to eat, these should be on your radar.

Ess-A-Bagel

It’s true what they say…bagels in New York really are superior to all other bagels. I liked this place so much, we went twice. There is usually a line but it moves pretty fast, and it’s worth the wait. I got the pumpernickel bagel with banana nut cream cheese and it was to die for.

Pilot

Pilot is a restaurant on a vintage sailboat docked in the East River. This place has a pretty limited menu. We got the Mermaid Cove Oysters that are sourced from Prince Edward Island and the Scallops. Both items were good (the oysters were the star of the show) but you really go here for the views of the city. I don’t recommend this place if you get motion sickness, as the boat sways quite a bit.

Sogono Toscano

Left Photo from OpenTable

Sogono Toscano is an Italian coffee shop/cafe. This is the perfect place for an afternoon pick-me-up. The tea and espresso were good. I suggest skipping the croissants since there are better places in the city for croissants. You absolutely have to get the Stracciatella though. It’s the only place I’ve found in the US that does a really good and authentic version of it.

Katz’s Deli

Left photo from High Def watch

This deli was made famous from that scene in When Harry Met Sally. There was a small line outside but it moved faster than we expected. My husband and I split their pastrami sandwich on deli rye bread (I definitely suggest splitting it). It was hands down the best pastrami sandwich I’ve ever had.

Eleven Madison Park

Eleven Madison Park is the first 3 Star Michelin restaurant I’ve been to. If you are unfamiliar with the Michelin Star rating system, they only go up to 3 stars. This is one of the top rated restaurants in a city known for good food. This is a plant based restaurant and I had to keep reminding myself of that throughout the meal because it was hard to believe at times. I love going to restaurants that challenge my view of food and this place did that. We opted for the main dining room menu tasting which is nine to ten courses. My husband opted for the wine pairing with the meal and found the wines to be good, but thought it was a little lack luster. I personally skipped the wine pairing because I don’t drink much and there is no way I could handle a glass of wine with each course LOL.

Magnolia Bakery

Magnolia Bakery is a New York icon best known for their cupcakes and banana pudding. They were sold out of the traditional banana pudding when we went so we got the Gone Bananas Banana Pudding and I can see where all the hype comes from. I love banana flavored desserts and this was the best banana flavored dessert I’ve ever had.

Blue Box Cafe

The Blue Box Cafe is located in Tiffany’s flagship store. It’s where you can go to actually have breakfast at Tiffany’s. As an Audrey Hepburn fan, this was a highlight of our trip. Sometimes with novelty cafes, the food can be lacking but my husband and I ordered Breakfast at Tiffany’s option and loved it. You can try for a walk-in but it’s best to make a reservation and reservations are very difficult to get. Reservations open one month from the date you want and they open at midnight eastern time. I got online a couple minutes before reservations opened and refreshed the page until it opened reservations.

John’s of Bleecker St

Photo from Grub Street

My favorite kind of pizza is a thin crust, New York style pizza and this place embodied that. This pizza was so good it actually brought tears to my eyes. Luckily I did not actually cry because that would have been embarrassing.

JG Melon

Photos from jgmelon-nyc.com

One of the nights we were there I really wanted a good cheeseburger. We came across this place on Yelp and I’m so happy we went. The cheeseburgers were good but the real stars of the show were the chili bowl and apple sour cream walnut pie. The chili tasted exactly like my mom’s homemade chili so it was a real comfort food for me. The apple sour cream walnut pie was so good I had a dream about it.